Spain will visit Georgia this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET in Tbilisi with a major absence: Lamine Yamal, who continues to recover from pubalgia issues that have kept him sidelined in recent weeks. The young FC Barcelona talent’s absence has stirred debate, but the numbers tell a surprising story — Luis de la Fuente’s team hasn’t just coped without him; they’ve excelled.

How Has Spain Performed Without Him?

Since Lamine Yamal made his senior debut in September 2023 — ironically against Georgia, a 7-1 victory in which he scored — Spain has played eight matches without him. The record? Eight wins, 22 goals scored, and only three conceded.

During those games, the Barcelona winger missed seven due to physical issues and was an unused substitute once (against Andorra). The opponents — Scotland, Norway, Andorra, Serbia, Denmark, Switzerland, Georgia, and Bulgaria — all fell to a Spanish side that’s shown remarkable depth and consistency even without its most electric player.

Is Spain Still as Dangerous Without Its Star?

Despite those results, no one questions Lamine Yamal’s influence on the pitch. His ability to break lines, improvise, and decide matches makes him a generational weapon for La Roja.
Yet, the data reinforces that De la Fuente’s side thrives on collective strength — a team built on tactical balance, versatility, and chemistry, rather than individual brilliance.

The coach himself has emphasized that “Spain doesn’t depend on any single player.” And while the Barcelona prodigy might be the face of the new era, the backbone of this team is its structure, not a name.

Better to Rest Now Than Regret Later

Missing the final qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey might actually benefit Lamine Yamal in the long run. This rest period comes at the perfect time — just when he needs full recovery from his pubic discomfort to hit peak form by next summer.

If this break helps him return fresher and sharper for the 2026 World Cup, it will have been worth it. Because while Spain has proven it can win without him, having him fully fit for the biggest stage would take La Roja to another level.